Why EC LOC?

Uplifting Early Childhood Leaders of Color (EC LOC) is not just necessary — it's transformative. Historically, the early childhood ecosystem has been shaped by systemic underinvestment in communities of color. Yet, leaders from these communities bring innovation, deep wisdom, and rootedness that fuel lasting change.

We’re here to shift the narrative — from scarcity and burnout to joy, healing, and collective power.

“We counter exhaustion, burnout, isolation, and trauma... with time, space, and resources for rest, healing, and joy-making in community.”

— Vance Lewis, Founding Member

Who We Are: The EC LOC Collaborative

A self-organized, national network of Early Childhood Leaders of Color working to co-create a more liberatory, restorative, and transformative early childhood ecosystem.

Our Guiding Beliefs

Self-Determination: Leaders define and pursue their own visions of impact.
Co-Creation: Our strategy is shaped by and for EC LOC.
Liberation: We reimagine systems from the inside out — grounded in joy, healing, and power.

Our Impact Goals

We strive to increase the sustainability, social capital, and power of EC LOC at all levels.

Individual: EC LOC experience well-being, healing, and joy in community.
Organizational: Leaders align their work with values and gain access to networks and resources to expand impact.
Field-wide: The field reflects the lived wisdom and leadership of EC LOC.

What We Do

Our annual in-person convening — Restoration. Enlightenment. Solidarity. Transformation.
Over 190 EC LOC gathered in New Orleans in April 2025 to recharge, vision, and be in community.
Learn more at www.rest.ecloc.org.
$250 stipends for members to invest in their own self-care and healing. Over $68,000 distributed to members since 2023.
Member-led spaces that build relationships across shared identities and geographies, strengthening sustainability, social capital, and collective power.
Organized by members, these gatherings support connection, learning, and local action.
Workshops, learning circles, and communities of practice led by EC LOC for EC LOC — from policy advocacy to collective healing.
Member-driven teams that bring ideas to life through co-creation. Each group is focused on shaping the Collaborative’s direction and impact in a specific area.
Active Working Groups Include (as of July 2025):
- Power Building Working Group
- EC LOC Working Group (Governance & Impact)
- Funder Advocacy Working Group
- Onboarding Working Group (New Member Experiences)
- R.E.S.T. Conference Co-Creation Committee
The Philanthropic Action Group for Equity (PAGE) is a group of funding organizations that work in collaboration with EC LOC from the Collaborative to steward in more equitable and liberatory funding policies and practices that are transformative for BIPOC-led organizations in early childhood. To shift power to leaders and communities, the EC LOC Collaborative influences the action agenda and priorities of the PAGE through the Funder Advocacy Working Group (FAWG) within the Collaborative.

How to Join Us

Becoming part of the EC LOC Collaborative means joining a movement for change grounded in shared values.

Review our Guiding Principles.
Complete the Intake Form

Admission to the EC LOC Collaborative is not determined by race or ethnicity. Participation is open to individuals of all backgrounds who align with the Collaborative’s values and purpose.